The hero’s journey analysis is portrayed in the film Shawshank Redemption. Andy receives the call to adventure when he is convicted of murdering his wife and is sentenced to jail. This is the call to adventure because he is thrown into an abnormal situation where he is in danger. He has a mentor, Red, and enemies, the sisters and later the warden. Red gives Andy what he needs t survive in the prison and the warden and the sisters try to work against Andy’s goals. In the next part, the initiation, Andy faces trials like earning his place in the prison and facing his enemies. He is also abducted in a sense when the warden forces him to launder money. These are vital parts of the initiation because they make Andy strong and provide him the opportunity to be the hero. Andy has to “fight the dragon” and enter the belly of the whale when he decides he does not want to help the warden anymore and finalizes his escape plan. The warden is the dragon and Andy surfaces victorious by acting noncommittal but then is found absent from his cell and escapes and the warden’s suicide. For the return Andy is pursued by the guards but escapes. At this point he has crossed the threshold and returned to the world of free men. He has mastered both worlds and is free to live a nonchalant life wherever he wants. So with this Shawshank Redemption fits the hero’s journey format.
Hey Theo. You're clearly a veritable source for knowledge of the Shawshank Redemption and show a clear understanding of the story. The only point i believe you left out was the hero's (Andy) refusal of call to action. This, of course, was his denial of the murder of his wife he made in court. Other than that, great job.